CICC to start releasing advisories vs. consumer apps performing badly
Scam Watch Pilipinas lauds CICC’s proactive approach in monitoring app performances to enhance Filipino digital experience
By MB Technews
At A Glance
- The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) is now using the Consumer Application Monitoring System, or CAMS, to monitor consumer applications and alert the public on any detected performance issues as part of its initiative to protect consumers. This was formally launched less than two weeks before the first advisory was issued.
- CICC issued an advisory about continuous failed attempts to send video and file transfers on the Viber platform detected by CAMS on September 26, 2023, showcasing CAMS's effectiveness in real-time monitoring and alerting.
- The primary goal of CAMS is not to issue warnings but to educate the public about the performance of consumer applications and to ensure that consumers are getting value for their money. It aims to make people aware of their options and does not seek to put down or elevate any platforms.
- CICC is specifically monitoring a wide range of consumer applications, including e-wallets, digital banks, e-commerce platforms, social media, and messaging apps, focusing on ensuring consumer protection and enhancing digital experiences for Filipinos.
- Consumer Advocacy Groups like Scam Watch Pilipinas have commended the efforts of CICC in safeguarding the digital experience of Filipinos. They see this move as a way to prompt companies with digital platforms to improve their customer experience, particularly those scheduling system maintenance during payday.
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) will start alerting the public when a consumer application performs poorly, which can affect Filipino consumers' digital experience.
The CICC alerted the public after the agency's Consumer Application Monitoring System (CAMS) detected continuous failed attempts to send video and file transfers using the Viber platform on September 26, 2023.
"We have detected continuous failed attempts to send video and file transfers using the Viber system in multiple cities covered by the CAMS platform domestically and internationally since 10 am today. Messaging and voice calls have been successful through the Viber platform," CICC advisory said.
The advisory came less than two weeks after CICC formally launched the CAMS to monitor online applications to ensure consumer protection. CICC Executive Director Alexander K. Ramos said that the detection of the use of Viber shows that CAMS is an effective tool.
"CAMS is working well in detecting problems and protecting consumers from cybercriminals," Usec Ramos said. "Definitely, all the popular apps will be monitored here as part of the consumer protection of CICC. We will monitor the performance until the public gets their money's worth," Ramos said.
CICC is monitoring the performance of all consumer apps, especially the e-wallets, digital bank, e-commerce, social media and messaging apps. "It's not a warning, but rather it's a tool. Our objective is to educate the public. People should understand we are not here to put down or to put up anyone," he said. "And, you know, we are here for the public to understand that there are options," Ramos added.
Consumer Advocacy Group Scam Watch Pilipinas Co-Founder and Co-Lead Convenor Jocel de Guzman commended the CICC for protecting the digital experience of Filipinos by monitoring the performance of the widely used apps. "We have been receiving questions about why many banks would schedule system maintenance during payday. With this move of the CICC, we hope companies with digital platforms will improve their customer experience.," De Guzman added.